CALGARY — Some words used to describe Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway through the first three weeks of the season: gritty, grinder, physical, fighter, smart, tough, special, great teammate and lobster connoisseur.
Originally slated as a fourth-liner, Hathaway has been a strong addition to the team’s third line, alongside center Lars Eller and Jakub Vrana. After scoring 11 goals and recording eight assists last season with the Calgary Flames, Hathaway already has two goals and three assists for the Capitals. The 27-year-old, who was born in Naples, Fla., and grew up in Kennebunkport, Maine, will face his former team Tuesday night.
“He’s a special guy in terms of his compete, his battle, his character,” Coach Todd Reirden said. “It’s really high-end.”
Hathaway averaged 10:32 of ice time last season, the least among Flames forwards. He spent four years with the team before becoming a free agent and being added by Washington for depth. In his 175 games with Calgary, Hathaway tallied just 16 goals and 24 assists, averaging 10:47 of ice time.
Hathaway began playing hockey at about age 3. His parents had signed up his older brother for the sport, and as Hathaway said, he just “went along for the ride.”The pond outside the family’s house would freeze over, allowing for constant ice time. All that skating and years of hockey camps led to a spot at Brown University.
At Brown, he tallied 20 goals and 38 assists in 121 games. After his junior year, he was invited to NHL development camps in Pittsburgh and Boston. Reirden said he started following Hathaway’s development after meeting him at the camp in Pittsburgh.
Reirden said he made some calls to Hathaway this summer, knowing he would be a good fit, and now, Hathaway has earned his spot on the third line. Hathaway’s rugged style has earned him respect.
“He makes you want to fight for your teammate, and he is with us there on the ice,” Vrana said. “He brings more respect on the ice. People just don’t go running into him.”
In Friday’s game against the New York Rangers, Hathaway suffered a broken nose after a high hit, left the game, came back, then got into a fight and drew a penalty that led a Washington power-play goal.
His past reveals hustle off the ice as well. Growing up, Hathaway worked with his four older siblings at their family-owned seafood restaurant. His father soon opened a lobster processing business called Shucks Maine Lobster near Augusta.
At Brown, Hathaway and one of his teammates started a lobster roll cart in the summer after sophomore year. After retrofitting an old sausage cart used outside Fenway Park into a proper lobster roll-making environment, they got permits, passed health codes and starting selling. It was a brief dip in the entrepreneurial world for Hathaway, but he relished every moment of it.
These days, Hathaway has become a presence in the dressing room and has exceeded expectations on the ice.
“He’s done an outstanding job and deserved that bump up to the third line that he got,” Reirden said. “I think we’re just kind of tapping into some of the things that this player can do.”
When asked why he chose Washington in free agency, Hathaway paused before citing the organization’s recent history of success and the character of its roster.
“That’s something that was impossible to say no to,” Hathaway said. “It’s so exciting to want to join that, that environment.”
Hathaway knew he would be asked to provide depth to a team that was exposed in a first-round playoff exit last year. He was there to be the physical, grind-it-out player. He knew he would have to rely and build on his strengths, such as forechecking, disrupting plays and embracing a two-way game. He’s thriving in his opportunity.
“I want to continue to grow off the offensive experiences and being consistent,” Hathaway said. “I think that’s a big part of, you know, an 82-game season, plus the playoffs: You always have to be ready to go. You always have to be dialed in.”
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